New 911 campaign seeks to get drunk drivers off Kelowna roads

Mothers Against Drunk Driving is bringing a road safety campaign to Kelowna that enlists the help of the public to identify impaired drivers.

The MADD Central Okanagan chapter hooked up with Kelowna RCMP to launch the first phase of the Campaign 911 program by placing click on stickers on cruisers in December, 2012. They advertised their mission today throughout the community with twelve road signs promoting the call 911 message.

"Campaign 911 gives citizens an important way to help police take impaired drivers off our roads, and sends the message to impaired drivers that other motorists are watching and will report them to police," said Jeffrey Robinson, director at large for MADD Central Okanagan.

Mayor Walter Gray endorsed the program, calling the City a partner in the program.

"It's up to all of us, as a community to keep our streets safe," Gray said. "Like the signs say, call 911 if you suspect someone is driving while intoxicated. That phone call could prevent an injury or save a life."

In the press release from the RCMP, an estimated 1,250 to 1,500 people lose their lives as a result of accidents related to impaired driving while another 63,000 people are injured. RCMP Cst. Kris Clark says drunk driving is a risk to public safety and the Kelowna detachment welcomes the publics assistance in alerting officers to suspected impaired drivers.

MADD Canada has extended the Campaign 911 message to the boating communities and is using grants from Transport Canada and the help of local regional boat clubs, police, government and marinas have produced and installed almost 250 "Don't Boat Impaired" signs.

For more information on the campaign, visit the MADD website.

MADD Canada describes themselves as a national, charitable organization committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting victims of violent crime. They say they have volunteer groups in more than 100 communities across Canada aiming to offer support services to victims, to heighten awareness of the dangers of impaired driving, saving lives and preventing injuries on Canadian roads.

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